Never one to miss out on the party scene, Party Girl arrived just before the birthday girl made her entrance. Turning 40 should always come with a bang (not that Party Girl knows what it is like to turn 40). Indeed this party was perfect for Stacey Fabre, the multi-talented jewelry designer and commercial real-estate agent extraordinaire who had no idea what her friends were scheming in November when she graciously accepted a dinner invitation at Agave. Stacey nonetheless showed up dressed to the nines in a full-length mink coat to yells of "Surprise!" And she was indeed surprised. Everyone looked fashionably festive, but Stacey stole some of the buzz adorned with her birthday tiara and of course was the center of attention all night. Party-goers kept their energy up with plenty of margaritas and quesadillas before the bash soon turned into a trolley hopping good time. A Good Times Trolley was waiting to take the birthday girl and her posse wherever she wanted to go, all of us willing to brave the chilly temperatures. Besides, a couple of drinks can warm up anyone. Restaurant Zeus on Ambassador Caffery was one of the many stops that was particularly memorable: all of us shared the spotlight belly-dancing and cutting up for the restaurant's clientele. To complete the evening the party continued at Agave Restaurant where most of us danced the night away. Who knew gallivanting around town could stir up such festive spirit on a cold, damp November night.
A much bigger party that's just as much fun, MidSouth Bank's fall Harvest Dance at the Cajundome Convention Center seems to get better every year. The fun-filled event is attended by MidSouth Bank's Select 50 customers and their guests ' which always includes the Dancing Queen, aka Party Girl. This year's event attracted what has to be some of the best dancers in the state ' more than 700 of them. MidSouth Bank also hires several professional dancers to assist anyone hoping to learn a few new moves, and as usual, the Joe Douglas Band performed superbly ' with guests consistently telling (with a bit of a threatening tone) event planner Judy Wade not to ever even think about changing the band. The highlight of the event, which features jitterbug, waltz and line dance competitions that are open to anyone who wants to participate, is a grand prize drawing for a $1,200 voucher from Mary Broussard Tours. The lucky winner was Harold W. Poe. This year's winners in the waltz category were: first place, Pete and Cecile Begneaud; second place, Willis Touchet and Jane Bowman; and third place, Lurlean and Oswald Barras. In the jitterbug competition, Audrey and Joe Harris took top honors, followed by Kathy and Steve Regan and Tracie Bordelon and Mark Montet. The line dance champ was Jane Janise, followed by Helen Bienvenu and Mary Ellen Duhon.
Party On! ' PG